I've been thinking about getting a new vehicle... perhaps you guys can help me pick?

[doctormario777]

Hi all!

I'm new to the forum, but so far I think it's really awesome! I saw a thread where a guy had modded his ford ranger and was getting 40+ mpg... that got me thinking: "Hey. maybe I can do something like that!"

Anyway, I'll explain my situation a bit. My wife and I are both in the USAF. I'm stationed out at Laughlin AFB and she's over at Randolph AFB on the east side of San Antonio. What that means for us is that I commute up to San Antonio basically every weekend. We got this assignment just after I bought a brand new 2012 Challenger. The Challenger actually gets decent economy, but I'd rather not put a ton of miles on my brand new car. Besides... we're thinking about getting an other vehicle anyway!

There's really two things that I'm looking for: highway fuel economy (Speed limit is around 70 mph) and utility. I hunt and fish, so I'd like a truck to be able to haul stuff around. Being that we'll only be in this situation for about 2 years, I don't think it's worth it to have a truck AND a fuel efficient vehicle. So I think a fuel efficient truck is what I need.

So I think I could either buy a ranger (v4 or v6? which is better at highway speeds?) or I could work on modding a 1978 f100 I have. I know I'll never get close to the mpg a ranger gets, but I wonder if it would be possible to get around 20 mpg out of the f100? Anyone tried economodding an older truck?

Phew... lots to say and not much organization! I guess my question boils down to:

1. What kind of fuel efficient trucks should I look into?
2. Is a v4 or a v6 more efficient at highway speed?
3. what is the best fuel economy I could expect from a light to moderately modded 1978 f100?

[Smurf]

Hi Doctormario777, welcome to Ecomodder!

I'll try to answer a couple, if I can.

1. What kind of fuel efficient trucks should I look into?

If you're focusing on efficiency, and not 'truck' so much, then you're looking for a four cylinder manual transmission two wheel drive truck. Brand preference is really up to you, many people start with S10/Isuzu, Ranger/Mazda, or pre-Tacoma Toyota trucks. Something in the 2.0L-3.4L range.

2. Is a v4 or a v6 more efficient at highway speed?

Depends on the driver more than the cylinders. You can squeeze decent mileage out of a V6, but for your 400-miles a week trek you're much better off with a four cylinder. A V6 will get you to highway speed quicker, but a four banger will do it cheaper. And that's the goal, right?

3. What is the best fuel economy I could expect from a light to moderately modded 1978 f100?

Uhm, not very good. There is a member on here modifying an older Ford like that, but in my mind, raising a 12MPG truck to 16MPG isn't as cost-effective as starting with a 27MPG truck. It sounds like you'd rather leave the F100 parked, drive the Challenger for fun, and a fuel sipper to go see the wife, correct?

Read the "100+ Hypermiling Tips" on the top of this page. Altering your driving habits will gain you more MPG than any modification you can do, and it's free!

[doctormario777]

Yea, the last sentence really sums it up. I might just look into a fuel sipper to see the wife and hang on to the f100 for hunting etc... still not sure.

The challenger was what really got me looking into other vehicles. I just hate to see it get so many miles so quickly!

[Smurf]

Just cause I'm bored enough to do it...

Assuming $3.75/gallon..
at 15mpg, it's $100 to drive 400 miles
at 20mpg, it's $75 to drive 400 miles
at 30mpg, it's $50 to drive 400 miles
at 40mpg, it's $38 to drive 400 miles
Multiply by 3 or 4 trips per month, and you might actually be trying to find a Geo Metro instead of an S10/Ranger.

[doctormario777]

I'm definitely not opposed to that thought... it would just have to be a really huge difference in mpg because I won't be able to hunt or pull a boat with the geo.

What other cars besides the metro should I be looking into? Like hondas etc..

[Gealii]

it depends on the kind of truck your looking for as well is 4wd or 2wd something to be thought about. If 2wd ranger/s10 are good platforms or there's always the diesel vw rabbit pickups

[vacationtime247]

Get a Pontiac Aztek. For what you're describing it might suit you perfect. Sure, it's not a truck, but it's got plenty of cargo area. Take out the rear seats and it'll fit a 4 X 8. Tent option, camo interior, 27 mpg highway. Best part, they're cheap.
VT247

[Ryland]

First off, the guy who was getting 40mpg in his Ford Ranger was most likely not driving 70mph, but more like 50mph because speed will kill your mileage!
You already have a truck, the F100, so why not keep that for your hunting trips?
How big of a boat are you talking about towing? a VW rabbit truck is based off a VW rabbit so it's going to be able to tow as much as a VW rabbit can and that is about the same as what a Honda Civic can tow! right around 1,000 pounds, or a small fishing boat with a light weight trailer, any car should be able to handle that from time to time.
If you can make a 20mpg vehicle get 40mpg then making a 35mpg vehicle get 50-60mpg should be about as much work right? it's been done but there are also a ton of vehicles out there that get 40-50mpg as they are and if you are addicted to driving 70mph then you'll want to start out with something that gets higher mileage to start with.
If you look at fueleconomy.gov Power Search you will find tools to search for a vehicle.

[Sporty Modder]

I agree, you have a truck for hunting-fishing, a new fun car, now you just need a economy car for those long trips. Check out the garage here on this site, there is a lot of real world testing / driving.
I drove a mt tercel for a while and got 40mpg highway, 35 around town. Also a Altima 35mpg highway Maxima 30 mpg all mid 90's cars. My inlaws had a 04 focus and got 34mpg all these mpgs were before this site